2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards: A Spectacular Celebration of Music and Culture

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards lit up Los Angeles on Monday, 17 March, at the iconic Dolby Theatre. This highly anticipated event brought together music fans from across the globe to celebrate the most-played artists and chart-topping songs of the past year. With memorable performances, heartfelt tributes, and a spirit of community, the night was a true testament to the power of music.

An Evening to Remember at the Dolby Theatre

A Grand Return

The 12th annual iHeartRadio Music Awards returned with much fanfare at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Attended by a diverse crowd of music enthusiasts, the show promised electrifying performances and inspired tributes that captured the energy of the past year—and hinted at exciting things to come.

Hosting with Iconic Energy

Hip hop legend LL COOL J returned to the iHeartRadio stage as the host, expressing his excitement:

“I’m excited to be back on the iHeartRadio stage to host this year’s awards. It’s going to be a night to remember—big energy, iconic moments, and special collaborations you won’t want to miss.”
His warm, engaging presence set the tone for an evening filled with surprises and dynamic musical moments.

Star-Studded Performances

The stage was graced by some of the biggest names in the industry. The night featured electrifying performances from artists including:

• Bad Bunny
• Billie Eilish
• GloRilla
• Gracie Abrams
• Kenny Chesney
• Muni Long
• Nelly

These acts delivered unforgettable live renditions that truly captivated the audience.

Honouring Musical Excellence

Special Awards and Recognitions

The ceremony not only celebrated musical achievements but also recognised the lasting impact of certain artists on culture and society. Highlights include:

• Nelly was awarded the 2025 iHeartRadio Landmark Award for his groundbreaking albums that have shaped musical culture over several decades.
• Lady Gaga received the Innovator Award, acknowledging her creative influence and trailblazing artistry.
• Mariah Carey was presented with the Icon Award as a mark of her enduring legacy in the music industry.
• Taylor Swift was celebrated for her “Tour of the Century” with her record-breaking Eras Tour, and she emerged as one of the most-nominated artists of the night alongside big names such as Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, and Sabrina Carpenter.

Supporting the Los Angeles Community

In a heartwarming gesture, this year’s awards also honoured the spirit of resilience in Los Angeles. Following the recent devastating wildfires, the ceremony spotlighted the rebuilding efforts in the community. Donations to FireAidLA.org were highlighted, with funds managed under the guidance of the Annenberg Foundation. This initiative supports both short-term relief and long-term projects to prevent future fire disasters.

How to Watch the Magic

For those who missed the live event, the show was broadcast on FOX from 8:00–10:00pm ET (live with a tape delay for PT). Additionally, viewers across the nation could catch the celebrations on various iHeartRadio stations or via the free iHeartRadio app. This multi-platform approach ensured that music fans everywhere could share in the excitement.

Winners at a Glance

Below is a detailed breakdown of the winners across various categories at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards:

Main Categories

• Song of the Year:

  • Beautiful Things – Benson Boone [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, “Agoura Hills” by Doja Cat, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Greedy” by Tate McRae, “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen, “Lose Control” by Teddy Swims, “Lovin On Me” by Jack Harlow, “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar, “Too Sweet” by Hozier

• Pop Song of the Year:

  • Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Agoura Hills” by Doja Cat, “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, “Greedy” by Tate McRae, “Too Sweet” by Hozier

• Pop Artist of the Year:

  • Sabrina Carpenter [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Tate McRae, Taylor Swift

• Artist of the Year:

  • Taylor Swift [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll, Kendrick Lamar, Morgan Wallen, Post Malone, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Teddy Swims

• Album of the Year:

  • Hit Me Hard and Soft – Billie Eilish [WINNER]

• Pop Album of the Year:

  • THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT – Taylor Swift [WINNER]

• Breakthrough Artist of the Year:

  • Gracie Abrams [WINNER]

• Best Collaboration:

  • Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone, “I Had Some Help” – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen, “Like That” – Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, “Miles On It” – Kane Brown and Marshmello

• Best New Artist (Pop):

  • Teddy Swims [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey

Genre-Specific Awards

• Country Song of the Year:

  • I Had Some Help – Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, “Cowgirls” by Morgan Wallen featuring ERNEST, “I Am Not Okay” by Jelly Roll, “World On Fire” by Nate Smith

• Country Artist of the Year:

  • Jelly Roll [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Kane Brown, Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen

• Best New Artist (Country):

  • Shaboozey [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Ashley Cooke, Dasha, George Birge, Tucker Wetmore

• Country Album of the Year:

  • F-1 Trillion – Post Malone [WINNER]

• Hip-Hop Song of the Year:

  • Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Like That” by Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar, “Lovin On Me” by Jack Harlow, “Rich Baby Daddy” by Drake featuring Sexyy Red and SZA, “TGIF” by GloRilla

• Hip-Hop Album of the Year:

  • We Don’t Trust You – Future & Metro Boomin [WINNER]

• Hip-Hop Artist of the Year:

  • GloRilla [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Drake, Future, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott

• Best New Artist (Hip-Hop):

  • BossMan Dlow [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: 310babii, BigXthaPlug, Cash Cobain, Jordan Adetunji

• R&B Song of the Year:

  • Made For Me – Muni Long [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “ICU” by Coco Jones, “Sensational” by Chris Brown featuring Davido and Lojay, “Water” by Tyla, “WY@” by Brent Faiyaz

• R&B Album of the Year:

  • COMING HOME – Usher [WINNER]

• R&B Artist of the Year:

  • SZA [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Chris Brown, Muni Long, Usher, Victoria Monét

• World Artist of the Year:

  • Tyla [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Burna Boy, Central Cee, Tems, YG Marley

• Best New Artist (R&B):

  • 4Batz [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Ambré, Inayah, Josh X, Maeta

• Alternative Song of the Year:

  • Too Sweet – Hozier [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Dilemma” by Green Day, “Landmines” by Sum 41, “Neon Pill” by Cage The Elephant, “The Emptiness Machine” by Linkin Park

• Alternative Artist of the Year:

  • Green Day [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Cage The Elephant, Linkin Park, Sum 41, twenty one pilots

• Alternative Album of the Year:

  • Clancy – twenty one pilots [WINNER]

• Best New Artist (Alt and Rock):

  • Fontaines D.C. [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Djo, Good Neighbours, Myles Smith, The Last Dinner Party

• Rock Song of the Year:

  • A Symptom of Being Human – Shinedown [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “All My Life” by Falling In Reverse and Jelly Roll, “Dark Matter” by Pearl Jam, “Screaming Suicide” by Metallica, “The Emptiness Machine” by Linkin Park

• Rock Artist of the Year:

  • Shinedown [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Green Day, Linkin Park, Metallica, Pearl Jam

• Rock Album of the Year:

  • From Zero – Linkin Park [WINNER]

• Dance Song of the Year:

  • 360 – Charli XCX [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Chase It (Mmm Da Da Da)” by Bebe Rexha, “I Don’t Wanna Wait” by David Guetta and OneRepublic, “Make You Mine” by Madison Beer, “Water” by Tyla X Marshmello

• Dance Album of the Year:

  • brat – Charli XCX [WINNER]

• Dance Artist of the Year:

  • David Guetta [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Calvin Harris, Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue, Tiësto

• Latin Pop / Urban Song of the Year:

  • Perro Negro – Bad Bunny featuring FEID [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Brickell” by FEID X Yandel, “LA FALDA” by Myke Towers, “Qlona” by Karol G featuring Peso Pluma, “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” by Karol G

• Latin Pop / Urban Artist of the Year:

  • FEID [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Bad Bunny, Karol G, Myke Towers, Shakira

• Latin Pop / Urban Album of the Year:

  • Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran – Shakira [WINNER]

• Best New Artist (Latin Pop / Urban):

  • Kapo [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Christian Alicea, Cris MJ, Ela Taubert, FloyyMenor

• Regional Mexican Song of the Year:

  • Alch Si – Grupo Frontera and Carin León [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “El Beneficio De La Duda” by Grupo Firme, “FIRST LOVE” by Oscar Ortiz and Edgardo Nuñez, “La Diabla” by Xavi, “Tu Perfume” by Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga

• Regional Mexican Album of the Year:

  • ÉXODO – Peso Pluma [WINNER]

• Regional Mexican Artist of the Year:

  • Peso Pluma [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Grupo Frontera, Intocable, Los Ángeles Azules, Xavi

• Best New Artist (Regional Mexican):

  • Xavi [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Chino Pacas, Iván Cornejo, Luis R. Conriquez, Tito Double P

• K-pop Artist of the Year:

  • ATEEZ [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: aespa, ENHYPEN, Jimin, Lisa

• K-pop Song of the Year:

  • Who – Jimin [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Chk Chk Boom” by Stray Kids, “Magnetic” by ILLIT, “Supernova” by aespa, “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” by ENHYPEN

• K-pop Album of the Year:

  • Ate – Stray Kids [WINNER]

• Best New Artist (K-pop):

  • ILLIT [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: BABYMONSTER, BADVILLAIN, NCT WISH, TWS

• Producer of the Year:

  • Julian Bunetta [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Jack Antonoff, Evan Blair, Mustard, Dan Nigro

• Songwriter of the Year:

  • Amy Allen [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Josh Coleman, ERNEST, Ashley Gorley, Justin Tranter

Socially Voted Categories (New for 2025)

• Favourite Soundtrack:

  • Wicked [WINNER]
  • Other Options: Back to Black, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, Bob Marley: One Love, Challengers, Deadpool & Wolverine, Descendants: The Rise of Red, Emilia Pérez, The Book of Clarence, Twisters

• Favourite Broadway Debut:

  • Romeo + Juliet – Rachel Zegler [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Adam Lambert (“Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”), Ariana Madix (“Chicago”), Barbie Ferreira (“Cult of Love”), Charli D’Amelio (“& Juliet”), Grant Gustin (“Water For Elephants”), Kit Connor (“Romeo + Juliet”), Lola Tung (“Hadestown”), Nicole Scherzinger (“Sunset Blvd”)

• Favourite K-pop Dance Challenge:

  • “GGUM” – Yeonjun (TXT) [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “MAESTRO” (Seventeen), “Magnetic” (ILLIT), “Smart” (LE SSERAFIM), “Sticky” (Kiss of Life), “Supernova” (aespa), “Touch” (KATSEYE), “UP” (Karina of aespa), “WORK” (ATEEZ), “XO (Only If You Say Yes)” (ENHYPEN)

• Favourite Surprise Guest:

  • Taylor Swift – Bringing out Travis Kelce [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Charli XCX with Lorde, Coldplay with Selena Gomez, Future & Metro Boomin with Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion with Cardi B, Jennifer Hudson with Cher, Kendrick Lamar with Ken & Friends, Luke Combs with the “Twisters” Cast, Morgan Wallen with Travis Kelce & Patrick Mahomes, Niall Horan with Shawn Mendes, Olivia Rodrigo with Chappell Roan, Peso Pluma with Becky G

• Favourite Tour Tradition:

  • Taylor Swift – “22” Hat [WINNER]
  • Other Options: Benson Boone (Backflips), Chappell Roan (Teaching “HOT TO GO” dance), Charli XCX + Troye Sivan (“Apple” Girl dance), Morgan Wallen (Walk out song), Niall Horan (Heaven pose), Nicki Minaj (Fans sing), Olivia Rodrigo (Encore tank), Sabrina Carpenter (“Juno” position), Tate McRae (Soundcheck covers), Usher (Feeding cherries)

• Best Lyrics (Socially Voted):

  • “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “Beautiful Things” (Benson Boone), “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” (Billie Eilish), “Espresso” (Sabrina Carpenter), “Exes” (Tate McRae), “I Had Some Help” (Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen), “I Love You, I’m Sorry” (Gracie Abrams), “Not Like Us” (Kendrick Lamar), “Saturn” (SZA), “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” (Ariana Grande), “Who” (Jimin)

• Best Music Video (Socially Voted):

  • “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: “APT.” (ROSÉ and Bruno Mars), “Beautiful Things” (Benson Boone), “Die With A Smile” (Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars), “Espresso” (Sabrina Carpenter), “Houdini” (Dua Lipa), “Houdini” (Eminem), “I Had Some Help” (Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen), “LUNA” (ATL Jacob X FEID), “Not Like Us” (Kendrick Lamar), “Please Please Please” (Sabrina Carpenter), “Rockstar” (Lisa)

• Favourite Tour Style (Socially Voted):

  • Taylor Swift – The Eras Tour [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Billie Eilish (Hit Me Hard and Soft), Chappell Roan (The Midwest Princess), Charli XCX and Troye Sivan (Sweat), Megan Thee Stallion (Hot Girl Summer Tour), Nicki Minaj (Pink Friday 2 Tour), Olivia Rodrigo (GUTS), Sabrina Carpenter (Short n’ Sweet), Tate McRae (Think Later), Usher (Past Present Future)

• Favourite Tour Photographer (Socially Voted):

  • Alfredo Flores – Sabrina Carpenter [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Adam Degross (Post Malone), Baeth (Tate McRae), Christian Tierney (Niall Horan), David Bergman (Luke Combs), Henry Hwu (Billie Eilish), Lucienne Nghiem (Chappell Roan), Miles Leavitt (Olivia Rodrigo), Pooneh Ghana (Noah Kahan), RAYSCORRUPTEDMIND (Travis Scott), Sanjay Parikh (Shinedown), Yasi (Kacey Musgraves)

• Favourite On Screen (Socially Voted):

  • Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version) [WINNER]
  • Other Nominees: Are You Sure?! (Jimin and Jungkook), Child Star (Demi Lovato), Elton John: Never Too Late (Elton John), Gaga Chromatica Ball (Lady Gaga), I Am: Céline Dion (Céline Dion), Lainey Wilson: Bell Bottom Country (Lainey Wilson), Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words (Megan Thee Stallion), Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE (KATSEYE), Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Bruce Springsteen), Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story (Bon Jovi)

Final Thoughts

The 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards proved to be an extraordinary celebration of musical talent and cultural impact. From dynamic live performances to heartfelt community tributes, every moment of the evening reinforced the unifying power of music. Whether you tuned in on FOX, via your local iHeartRadio station, or on the iHeartRadio app, the show delivered a night full of surprises and stellar achievements.

Stay updated with the latest highlights and revisit the award winners on the official iHeartRadio website for more detailed recaps.

References

• Official iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025 Press Release
• iHeartRadio Website
• FOX Broadcasting Schedule
• FireAidLA.org & Annenberg Foundation

Each of these sources provided key insights into the incredible journey of the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards and its lasting impact on the music scene. Enjoy the memories, and here’s to another year of outstanding musical achievements.